London (1.2.09)
– In Brussels, EU ministers were unable to agree a
majority position which would have enabled them to approve applications for
importing for food and feed use only a genetically modified rapeseed and carnation
flower. As with so many earlier episodes of this sort, a decision will be
made by the Commission on the basis of science (1). The glufosinate-tolerant
rapeseed from Canada remains after planting was ended in 2005.
A second impasse arose over the importation of Moonaqua carnations as cut
flowers for ornamental use even though other Florigene carnation varieties
are approved for import.. The flowers were produced by the Australian company
Florigene, modified genetically to display a light mauve colour.
As usual, reason gives way to politics when GM issues are discussed in the
EU, with some Member States determined as a matter of principle to delay and
refuse each and every application.
Official permission has been given by the Pakistan government
for the cultivation of Bt-cotton (2). In making his announcement, the Federal
Textile Minister declared that textile is mainstay of the economy and he wanted
revive the lost glory of this sector.
Across the Arabian Sea in Uganda, laboratory trials of GM-cassava
resistant both to cassava mosaic and cassava brown stem disease having been
completed. permission is being sought for field trials (3). Diseases of crop
plants are a major problem in the country with famine possibly being experienced
in some areas of the country because the extinction of most staple foods caused
by the pest and diseases
.
Yet further west, Brazil is preparing for cultivation of
Dow Agroscience’s HERCULEX® I maize which protects the crop against
the Spodoptora frugiperda caterpillar, the main maize pest in Brazil; protection
is extended to the entire life cycle of the plant (4). Use of this maize variety
also allows the control of Diatraea saccharalis; depending upon growing conditions,
these pests may cause yield losses of more 40 percent. It is hoped that use
of the new strain will improve yields and quality as well as facilitating
integrated pest management system.
And do back to Europe where, as usual, things are more leisurely even if in
this case more encouraging than they sometimes are. Farm Chemicals International
reports that despite Poland’s official “GM-free”
status, there is strong demand among growers for biotechnology to address
many of the country’s agricultural problems (5). Pressure on the government
to allow GM feed continues from industry associations, scientists, and producers.
Growers are citing the high proces of agricultural inputs which inevitably
are passed on to retail consumers, making the pint that some of those pressures
would be mitigated were the government to adopt a more favourable attitude
towards GM technology and its products.
Sources:
1. Jeremy Smith (19.1.2009). EU fails to approve GM rapeseed, carnation
imports. Reuters (http://in.reuters.com/article/asiaCompanyAndMarkets/idINLJ5926920090119?sp=true)
2. Pakistan: Farmers to grow Bt cotton with government's nod (23.1.09).
World News (http://article.wn.com/view/2009/01/23/Farmers_to_grow_Bt_cotton_with_govt_s_nod/)
3. Aidah Nanyonjo (6.1.09). Uganda: GM cassava ready for field trials.
New Vision (http://allafrica.com/stories/200901070050.html)
4. Dow AgroSciences receives approval for cultivation of HERCULEX®
I corn in Brazil (28.1.09). Dow AgroSciences (http://www.dowagro.com/newsroom/corporatenews/2009/20090128a.htm)
5. Polish biotech ban unpopular with growers (6.1.09). Farm Chemicals
International (http://www.fc-international.com/viewitem.php?ItemID=1656)
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